MMA
Cain Velasquez released from prison on parole after serving his sentence in 2022. Cain Velasquez shooting case released from prison on parole after serving his sentence
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(Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)San Jose, California On Sunday, multiple outlets reported that former two-time Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez had been released from prison on parole after serving a sentence related to a controversial 2022 shooting incident.
Velasquez, 43, announced the development on his social media accounts, confirming that he had been granted early parole and released from custody on February 15, 2026. According to reports, the longtime MMA star can now pursue his personal and professional interests outside of prison, including planning a one-day breathing seminar in the San Jose area.
Background: 2022 shooting incident and sentencing
Velasquez’s imprisonment follows a high-profile incident from 2022 in which he chased a vehicle containing a man he believed had molested his adolescent child and fired a gun. During the chase, another person – the defendant’s stepfather – was hit by a bullet but survived with non-life-threatening injuries. Velasquez was later arrested and charged with multiple crimes, including attempted murder.
In March 2025, a Santa Clara County judge sentenced Velasquez to five years in prison, with credit for time served in prison and house arrest, significantly reducing the time he would spend behind bars.
Under California law, inmates can receive credit for time already served – including time in custody and monitored home confinement – as well as for participation in rehabilitation programs. These reductions, combined with good behavior provisions, made Velasquez eligible for parole earlier than his original sentence indicated.
Velasquez’s reaction and plans for the future
After his release, Velasquez shared his first plans after leaving prison on social media and thanked his fans. In his statement, he suggested organizing a holotropic breathing seminar in the San Jose area, describing breathing as a tool that helped him “physically, mentally and spiritually.”
“I am considering the idea of organizing a one-day holotropic breathing seminar in the San Jose area,” he wrote, adding that the practice was crucial to him.
Velasquez’s announcement also marks a shift toward personal well-being and social engagement, rather than an immediate return to competition. At 43 years ancient and Velasquez’s last professional fight was in 2019, Velasquez’s sporting comeback seems unlikely, but his next chapter outside the cage remains a topic of interest for fans and the martial arts community.
MMA Legacy and polarized case
Velasquez remains one of the most influential heavyweights in MMA history, known for his high-pressure wrestling, cardio and title victories during his prime. His release has once again sparked debate across the sport, with reactions ranging from support to criticism of the legal outcome.
The case itself – concerning a deeply emotional family situation – sparked widespread interest and debate both in the MMA world and in the mainstream media. Velasquez has already admitted in court to the recklessness of his actions, expressing remorse for the way he acted in the situation.
The legal proceedings are still ongoing
Although Velasquez’s prison sentence is now behind him, related legal issues continue. The man who was the alleged target of the 2022 shooting – Harry Goularte Jr. – is scheduled to appear in court in 2026 on separate charges of lewd acts with a minor.
This broader saga has been one of the most elaborate intersections of sports, personal tragedy and the American criminal justice system in recent years.
Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLCUFC fan favorite Diego Lopes will make the full-time move to the lightweight division after his latest win at UFC Freedom 250.
Former UFC featherweight title challenger Diego Lopes is in a bizarre spot in the 145-pound title picture after suffering two losses to current titleholder Alexander Volkanovski. Despite making a strong case for a title shot with an impressive come-from-behind knockout against Steve Garcia at the White House, Lopes would likely have to win a few fights before making the case for another shot at the belt.
Lopes, who lost back-to-back title fights to Volkanovski, has also earned recent featherweight wins over Jean Silva and Brian Ortega. But Lopes is big for the featherweight division and has teased a potential move to lightweight for months.
Amidst his peculiar spot in the featherweight division, Lopes is taking matters into his own hands and making the move to lightweight.
Diego Lopes announces full-time move to lightweight, hoping for MSG return
In a recent interview with Ag.Fight, Lopes shared an update on his return to the Octagon.
“We're taking the leap in our career now; we're going up a division, in advanced talks,†Lopes said.
“We're hoping to fight at MSG in November.â€
One potential lightweight opponent is BMF titleholder Charles Oliveira, who was rumored to fight Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 331 before pulling out of recent fight talks. Oliveira's teammate Allan Nascimento's tragic death leaves a timeline for the BMF champion's return to the Octagon unclear.
Lopes hasn't fought at lightweight in his UFC tenure, although he fought in a 165-pound catchweight bout against Dan Ige at UFC 303. He's fought as low as bantamweight during his combat sports career.
As the lightweight division continues to blossom with intriguing matchups for the rest of the year, Lopes' addition opens the door to plenty of possible bookings. We could be weeks away from getting news on Lopes' return to the cage.
Who should Diego Lopes fight next? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLCUFC CEO Dana White didn't waste any time getting flyweight prospect Bilal Hasan a fight after Dana White's Contender Series.
The UFC matchmakers didn't take long to find one of the best prospects in Mixed Martial Arts some work.
Flyweight prospect Bilal Hasan knocked out Mridul Saikia in 45 seconds to secure a UFC contract on Dana White's Contender Series on Tuesday night in Las Vegas. Hasan moved to 9-0 in his career with eight stoppages.
Hasan entered the Octagon on Tuesday night as the biggest betting favorite in DWCS history, eclipsing alumni like Bo Nickal, Jamahal Hill, and Sean O'Malley. The former Cage Fury FC flyweight titleholder is considered a generational talent among 125-pound fighters.
Just hours after signing his UFC contract, Hasan was scheduled to make his promotional debut at UFC Shanghai against another talented flyweight.
Bilal Hasan set to fight at UFC Shanghai just days after Contender Series KO
The biggest favorite in #DWCS history only needed 45 seconds to get this one done!
Bilal Hasan is UNBELIEVABLE inside the Octagon! 😮â€ðŸ’¨
[ LIVE on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/uyiENO9ltD
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) August 12, 2026
As announced on Thursday, Hasan will fight Nilson Rojas (9-0) at UFC Shanghai on August 29th.
Rojas will make his UFC debut after first-round stoppage wins in four of his last five fights. He most recently defeated Gonzalo Hanampa by unanimous decision at Inka 59.
Hasan and Rojas are both welcome additions to the resurgent UFC flyweight division. Flyweight champion Joshua Van will return later this year at UFC 331 when he faces Alexandre Pantoja in a highly anticipated rematch.
Hasan is one of the few Indonesian-born fighters in UFC history, after making his professional debut in December 2022. Jeka Saragih became the first Indonesian UFC fighter in February 2023.
A bantamweight matchup between former title challenger Umar Nurmagomedov and Song Yadong headlines UFC Shanghai. Former strawweight title challenger Yan Xiaonan returns in the co-main event against Denise Gomes.
Can Bilal Hasan win a UFC flyweight title? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
Credit: Ben Roberts Photo/GettyFormer UFC welterweight title challenger Darren Till is in hot water after a viral brawl outside a Liverpool pub.
Darren Till doesn't shy away from fights inside and outside the arena, as evidenced by multiple incidents throughout his fighting career. The former UFC fan favorite has made a name for himself after leaving Mixed Martial Arts, finding success in bare-knuckle and professional boxing.
In between fights, Till isn't afraid to push buttons on social media, getting into recent social media spats with current UFC fighters and boxing rivals. He's set to return to the ring against Yoel Romero in his Bare Knuckle FC return next month.
Till and bare-knuckle fighter Lee Browne have traded barbs on social media for weeks, with Browne calling Till a ‘s—house'. Browne has fought multiple times in the BKFC ring but hasn't fought since July 2025.
Till and Browne recently ran into each other outside of The Blarney Stone, an Irish pub, located in Liverpool earlier this week. It's safe to say their recent bad blood carried over into the streets.
WATCH: Darren Till, fighter Lee Browne brawl after social media spat
Watch a brawl involving Till and Browne below.
😱 DARREN TILL KNOCKS OUT LEE BROWNE OUTSIDE LIVERPOOL'S BLARNEY STONE PUB.
👊🻠💥Darren can be heard asking Lee, “Who's a sh*thouse? I'm right here now,†before hitting him with a three-punch combo that knocks him to the ground.
Darren Till (“The Gorillaâ€) is the Liverpool… pic.twitter.com/DTNxfs3mt2
— Skint Eastwood (@Skint_Eastwood1) August 13, 2026
As of this writing, neither Till nor Browne has issued public comment on the incident, and additional details on what led up to the brawl remain unknown.
Till parted ways with the UFC following a submission loss to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 282. He made his professional boxing debut last year against former UFC champion Luke Rockhold, earning a third-round knockout.
What is your favorite memory from Darren Till's UFC career? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
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